History of the Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction
The teachings of Science of Mind and Spirit have been rooted in the Grand Valley of Colorado for nearly 50 years. The late Carl and Betty Wahlberg discovered the Science of Mind and Spirit teachings and resonated with the “change your thinking, change your life” philosophy. “I stayed in this philosophy — it’s allowed me to live life at a higher frequency,” Carl said. The Wahlbergs and others formed a community and met in homes to study the teachings.
Eventually the Two Rivers Center for Spiritual Living was founded. From 2005 into 2013, the Center met in the Community Room at Lakeside in Grand Junction. Rev. Patty Rumpza became the first full-time minister in 2012. Rapid growth caused us to look for a larger facility. In 2013, we found a home of our own in the heart of beautiful downtown Grand Junction just one block from Main Street. Rev. Patty conducted the first Sunday service in the new location on June 30, 2013.
Since then we have changed our name to Center for Spiritual Living Grand Junction and have expanded to provide inspiring and practical spiritual and personal growth education through classes and workshops. Our Sunday services are complemented with activities nearly every day and night. With Rev. Patty’s guidance, CSL Grand Junction has formed a vision to expand this teaching philosophy to affect the greater Grand Valley, impacting and transforming lives with the tools of Science of Mind and Spirit. We now reach all ages from young adults up through our Not Going Quietly group for those who are 60+ years young.
CSL Grand Junction has a commitment to Community Service and takes up several projects throughout the year. For example, we serve dinner monthly at the local homeless shelter. We have purchased, wrapped, and delivered thermals as our Christmas gift to the adults who spent time at that shelter. We have adopted a street and clean it up multiple times each year. We participate in various community events and interfaith community organizing. We always look forward to new ways we can serve and give back to our community.
We host performances by special guests and musicians from all over the country. Recent presenters at CSL Grand Junction have included the Spiritual Leader for Centers for Spiritual Living, Rev. Dr. Kenn Gordon, as well as Rev. Michael Gott, Eddie Watkins Jr., and Karen Drucker. Many more events are envisioned featuring other speakers, musicians, and up-and-coming authors and artists.
CSL Grand Junction has grown at the rate of 33% per year recently, and that growth rate is expected to increase. To more fully serve our growing community, CSL Grand Junction hired our first Assistant Minister, Rev. Anna Scott, in 2016. Additionally, in the very near future, we intend to move into a large space that will fully serve our expanding community and provide us with new opportunities.
We welcome everyone to help us write the next chapters of our amazing story.
